Chill out, already (Everybody Calm Down reviews)

[melvin]

Keep stretching.

Thank you kindly, Roymond. And to all the haters, fuck y'all.

[Leaf]

IT seems you have deciphered the true meaning of my review:



I hate you Melvin, I hate you and all your kind.





(This is what passes for sarcasm in BC).

[Billy's Little Trip]

Billy's Little Trip: Wow!!! I never thought I'd hear P.I.L. again. I don't think it really sounds like them; just reminiscent. Awesome guitar tones and well, the performances, all around are stellar and tight. One little pet peeve is that the last line of the chorus needs to be tighter. Almost like shrunk to the music than the delivery that lives on the track right now and possibly some kind of more spoken pissed-off-ness "I'm freaking, freaking out" to really push it at the end.
Digging: Totally.
Lasting Impression: The music kicks the title in a way that makes me want to destroy things whilst trying to drink Chamomile Tea. Good job on that.

Hey thanks, tone. You think like me. I had an interesting spoken word bit at the end that I pulled at the last minute. Also, I did the last "I think I'm freaking out" part slightly off in an attempt of last minute looseness. I literally clicked and dragged it over a hair because it ended too clean. Maybe not a good choice.

BLT: The first thing this song showed me is that I don’t listen to enough BLT. This is fantastic. This is the rare thing at SF: something that sounds like a real song, rather than just a SF song. Great work, great mix, great noises, nice confidence in your voice.

Wow, coming from you, this is great to hear. Will you have my baby?

Billy's Little Trip - You rock! I want to turn this up loud and dance a little.

Really? *glee*

[thehipcola]

and another 1/2 hour has shown itself to me......

Billy's Little Trip
Dig: Great mix, great production! This is awesome.
Don'ts: none. that's right...none.
overall: I like the energy, I like the tune, I like frenetic. Yah it's obvious. But it's really doing it for me. Possible vote, definite keeper.

Adam Dachis
Dig: The mix is pretty clean.
Don'ts: Sounds at times like you're shoehorning words into small spaces. A bit sloppy in places. Vocals off here and there, and it comes off a bit timid. Conviction Adam!
overall: it's not a great song says my ears, but it's not a bad listen either, not offensive, and decently mixed. It needs more memorable-ness.

Octothorpe
Dig: I'm trying here....
Don'ts: I'm just not feeling it. It sounds pretty kid-like and silly to me.
overall: I just seem to miss the # thing. Silly has to be amazing to get my attention. Not doing it for me.

LyricBurglar
Dig: fairly strong beginning. I like the chorus..kind of grabs.
Don'ts: tuning of the guitars seems to get to me...lead guitar is not quite right?
overall: not a keeper, but a decent listen.

MC Erik B
Dig: ummm....sorry.
Don'ts: what happened to the music? there was this intro and this music loop and that's it? seems kind of uninteresting.
overall: snoring.

noah mclaughlin
dig: the live room vibe is cool. I like the music...kind of.
don'ts: not sold on the vox. at times they really work, but then other times...not so much.
overall: this is pretty good...the group-ish singing at the end loses a few points.

Puppies And Pansies
dig: the ridiculous sections sewn together. the second section vocals in particular, even more particular, "got a score to settle with my metal", lead and rythmn axes.
don'ts: rythmn is way off in parts. too bad, because it's like a train-wreck. if you want I can send you some midi files with examples of different grooves.
overall: aight, I love this tune. classic. going on my ipod. but you should try EZDrummer.

[Elvis]

Octothorpe: This is too accessible. You’re a sell out.

Sweet! Where's my check?

[Leaf]

a
Puppies And Pansies
dig: the ridiculous sections sewn together. the second section vocals in particular, even more particular, "got a score to settle with my metal", lead and rythmn axes.
don'ts: rythmn is way off in parts. too bad, because it's like a train-wreck. if you want I can send you some midi files with examples of different grooves.
overall: aight, I love this tune. classic. going on my ipod. but you should try EZDrummer.

Hmm.


I am having trouble separating the sarcasm from the praise and gushing love... tell me more.

[j$]

Johnny Cashpoint: Why is it that after all this time I still hear a white noise on your recordings? Is it a pre-amp issue?

*shrug* Dunno what you're referring to, unfortunately. I don't have a pre-amp so it can't be that? Do you mean like a hiss or something? Background noise? Can I pass it off as character?

Lasting Impression: KInd of like a nursery rhyme tripping out on acid.

I would say 'cheap speed' rather than 'acid' but that's exactly what I was going for. In fact I described to someone before I submitted it as 'A drugged-up nursery rhyme'.

When it hits it's peak the fits gonna hit the shan. As it is; it doesn't, so it distracts from it's ok production and mediocre songwriting.

I thinK I am being dense - I've got a feeling there's a grain of truth and usefulness here but what exactly is the 'it' in this sentence? The song? My songwriting? The background noise? the dynamic? Is there a second 'it' distracting from the production and songwriting? I would love to know - learning experience and all that (ps it's 'its' not 'it's' *heh*)

[Smalltown Mike]

Puppies And Pansies: if you want I can send you some midi files with examples of different grooves.

That made me LOL last night. That and the beers.

Leaf, you might also be able to use this: http://webmetronome.com/

[thehipcola]

sorry for the review dribbles here and there....time is not my friend.

Flvxxvm Florvm
Dig: lead guitar slide and tone...nice., some of the harp moments are gold.
Don'ts: lyrics
overall: nice tone! this grooves pretty well. Not feeling the vocals as much, but can't put my finger on why. I'd have it on my ipod though...easy to listen to.

SomeGuyCalledNoel
Dig: a rare thing indeed, my not rejecting out of hand the tape recorder-ness of this. I like the false start too.
Don't: I'd have liked to hear a more precise doubling vocal effort and more use of the stereo field.
overall: This song could really stand out with some production work...that may be your choice to keep it minimal, or lack of time/gear...not a criticism. It's a pretty song. Keeper.



That does it. My top three this week are BLT, Gert, SomeGuyCalledNoel, Finding Nemoy, Andrew Reist, JonMannBerkSoScene, PuppiesNFlowaz.

My math lesson starts at 10:00.

[tonetripper]

Johnny Cashpoint: Why is it that after all this time I still hear a white noise on your recordings? Is it a pre-amp issue?

*shrug* Dunno what you're referring to, unfortunately. I don't have a pre-amp so it can't be that? Do you mean like a hiss or something? Background noise? Can I pass it off as character?

As soon as the vocal comes in at the head, the hissing, which I have passed off as white noise, is extremely distracting, but I'm sure you are aware of how picky I am about that sort of stuff. Are you using a dynamic mic for your vocals? Or is it the style of mic? I mean a condenser can do the same thing in the hiss dept if it's in line with a mixer or a cheap condenser. I'm just not aware of whether you are running straight into your A-D or you are running it through the mixer. It really sounds like the pre-amps are pushed too hot and I'm hearing the S/N ratio pumping with your volume ins and outs for your vocal mix against the track.

Lasting Impression: KInd of like a nursery rhyme tripping out on acid.

I would say 'cheap speed' rather than 'acid' but that's exactly what I was going for. In fact I described to someone before I submitted it as 'A drugged-up nursery rhyme'.

I suppose I was speaking of cheap acid which probably had a lot of sticknine in it which is like the cheapest speed on the market. Good job on that.

When it hits it's peak the fits gonna hit the shan. As it is; it doesn't, so it distracts from it's ok production and mediocre songwriting.

I thinK I am being dense - I've got a feeling there's a grain of truth and usefulness here but what exactly is the 'it' in this sentence? The song? My songwriting? The background noise? the dynamic? Is there a second 'it' distracting from the production and songwriting? I would love to know - learning experience and all that (ps it's 'its' not 'it's' *heh*)

Thanks for the correction in my its. It's a common mistake when I'm posting. I don't check those things.

I was referring to the songwriting. In addition I feel like the songwriting AND production should be better as I've seen you on this site for some time now and listened to many a J$ song. I'd forgive the bundle if the songwriting was a little leaner. All the bells and whistles in the world weren't going to make, imho, this particular entry of yours stand out. This is why my feelings of it are that the song is kind of mediocre and the production doesn't help it. If it had gone to a different place in the song at some point, a far different point, it may have been able to redeem itself from the mediocrity of it all. It plateaus from the beginning and never finds itself further from it's bland beginnings.

It's not a real slag as much as it is a taste thing. I just may not ever really appreciate the genius that is J$.

[roymond]

its bland beginnings

[j$]

... dynamic mic for your vocals? .... running straight into your A-D or you are running it through the mixer ...pre-amps are pushed too hot ... the S/N ratio pumping with your volume ins and outs ...

Ummm, you know when you pick up an instruction manual and it's all in japanese?

This is a rough diagram of my set-up ...



background noise has never bothered me one way or the other on stuff I listen to so I guess I don't give it much consideration. I've never tried to imply that my stuff is 'professional'. I'm not all that interested in that. Obviously!

It's not a real slag as much as it is a taste thing. I just may not ever really appreciate the genius that is J$.

You're only saying that to fit in with the crowd

[fluffy]

The hiss is probably coming from the built-in audio interface on your cheap laptop. Getting an external audio interface will help a lot. Tascam makes several which are decent and relatively inexpensive, and even a Griffin iMic will be an improvement (although a very limited one) and those cost around £25ish.

I'm surprised you get such good sound out of a $20 Skype mic.

[j$]

Ta Fluffy - i think this is exactly what i have been looking for. i can't get the input volume down low enough even on the lowest setting as it is ... I will investigate.

Sorry to everyone for hijacking review thread - I haven't listened to them all yet but here is my thunkin 'so far!

WAIL. IAAC.

FF – you always get a great lead tone. The roughness at the edges of the (pretty good) mix help take the sting out of the fact that it’s just the blues. ‘The Spiderman of the Blues’ is a brilliant line. The rest doesn’t really engage me all that much - it’s fun, energetic and enjoyable to listen to but I wouldn’t rush to listen again. That may be a personal prejudice.

Aardwolves – I know nothing about you so forgive me for asking – has the vocal been sped up? Or are you in fact 12? Either way I love your voice, it’s so affecting, even through the mud and the haze of the recording. Can’t make out too many words (without looking in the lyric archive, natch) but it’s a very pleasant sound peaking through the aural molasses and that’s all that matters. Because of a combination of the simplicity of the arrangement and the recording quality, the song does feel a little longer than it is, but hey, I love the fact that it sounds like it’s been recorded in a Chelsea Hotel bathroom onto a portable dicta-phone – somehow I feel all G’n’G should be recorded that way!

Tuba Toothpaste – this is OK I guess. I don’t like the novelty musical take on the serious lyrical content. But it worked for Country Joe & the Fish. The drums become a little annoying after a while. I think the vocal is a bit forward in the mix. – overpowering everything else at differing times. I do like the little chirpy rhythm guitar a lot. Kind of shuffles past without really demanding my attention, like a tramp ambling past the glass front of a posh diner, looking for bottle tops.

Blues Manufacturing Facility – Kind of see my review of FF (for obvious reasons) – I love the guitar tone, the grindy messy mix but it’s just – come on, it’s the blues. Are you 106? Also minus points for not writing the words or the chords

Todd McChatton – Great voice, lovely chintzy ‘leccy piano sound. Don’t care for the lyrical content much – and the steel drum / cod reggae of the chorus oddly gets my back up a little, but the verses are great. And I love the nursery rhyme song meets musical arrangement that surfaces at points and also the variation throughout the song. Also doesn’t outstay its welcome. Inventiveness should to be praised even if it doesn’t subscribe to my own personal taste. Should be, but no vote (heh heh heh)

Monsieur ‘Puppet – This is probably my madness combined with your falsetto but every now and again I hear glimpses of early Radiohead in here (specifically ‘high and dry’ it might be a chord coincidence?) As with all of my favourite SP / Fluffy stuff this is on the edge of collapsing – the calming fragility of it far outweighs any timing / melody issues. Monster exchange!

Octothorpe - I love this. It feels a little apologetic in its length though - two verses, two choruses? This should go on for eight minutes like The Fall's Repetition! Loving Mad Dog on this - sounds like he's having real fun. Great backing vocal in the chorus. The rums are simple but perfect for the song. I don't get people who don't get #! [vote]

Noah - I love a bit of punk and this is really cool - it oddly sounds like a punky demo-ish Lou Reed to me. Not so keen on the slow down but the chord sequence, tone and drive is great and the vocal works very well against the sound of the track (apart from when you go deep and performy for ten seconds towards the end of the second verse). I like and want to hear more like this from you, please. [vote]

Lyricburglar – great tune. Like the speed of the vocal performance. It’s funky and suitably bluesy. I don’t know why the word-nickin’ bothers me so – it’s not like I think collage ain’t a valid art form. Let me put it this way – I would normally rewards a very nice funky 80s rock take on Stepping Stone like this (which I mean as a complement), but this time you only get half a vote. Spud, can you set that up for the front page? 

Adam Dachis – Ben Folds much? Actually this sounds like a track from one of those internet musicals that were tout le rage a few years ago. It[‘s very well done, and it’s cute but perhaps for me, a little safe? Not that’s anything wrong with that, per se, but the cutesy music meets ‘unpleasant’ lyrical content is a staple. Oh I dunno, it’s fine, just not my thing. Why can’t I just say that? I think I am addicted to the sound of my fingers on keys …

Alt – I read and loved your lyric in the archive so I was really looking forward to hearing this song. Not quite what I expected but very pleasant pickin’ leads into the bizarrest Syd Barrett impersonation I have heard in many a long year. The voice is fine but is that deliberate? Or just the way you sing? It’s so pixie-fey as to be a parody of itself? Either way, it’s a pretty song, well performed and the recording on the guitar is very well done. A bit too much ‘verb on the vocal at times. Too long and sensitive for my tastes, but can I say again what a good, periodically brilliant, lyric.


More will definitely come, only piecemeal...

[nyjm]

damn, there's a lot of chatter on this board. love to see that every one is having a good time.

nyjm: There is some guitar part in there, clean, I assumed power chords by the pitches I could hear.

I mean, if you don't HAVE a clean guitar track you are going to have to convince me of that. Which shouldn't be too hard...

you're totally right about the power chords, at least for the left-panned track/main riff.

but ain't none of it clean: i ran both guit tracks through Sex Pistols-type effects in Gearbox (it's weeks after i bought it and i'm still finding cool noises just with the presets...). if anything, the clean-er sound is full finger-bar chords on the right hand side.

[Billy's Little Trip]

The hiss is probably coming from the built-in audio interface on your cheap laptop. Getting an external audio interface will help a lot. Tascam makes several which are decent and relatively inexpensive, and even a Griffin iMic will be an improvement (although a very limited one) and those cost around £25ish.

I'm surprised you get such good sound out of a $20 Skype mic.

What about a mic modeler VST? I've seen a few free ones posted here in the plug in section. I played around with the Antares one that came in my vst suite and it seems to filter gain noise similar to a gate.

[Reist]

reviews.


EASY VOTES

adam dachis - Turn those vox down a bit. Don't get me wrong there - your voice is really good ... just too high in the mix. Lyrics are a bit nasty, but kind of funny. Piano driven songs always get my attention, thus I think this deserves a vote.

finding nemoy - fun songwriting. I heard some sick clipping, which is not bonus points for me, but I think the song in itself is enough for a vote. Great stuff.

gert - I'm getting less enchanted with the Smalltown Mike style, but I've always liked Gert. DES! What's up? Finally getting a taste of Deshead after so long in itself is enough for a vote.

noel - your writing is so good. Do you want to get better at mixing/production, or are you happy at this level? I think your music could reach a whole new level of awesome if you could produce it better. But yeah, this is an easy vote.

todd mchatton - this is fun. the line 'everybody calm down' seems a bit forced. But yeah, this is really memorable. Vote. And maybe for the win.


TOUGH CALLS

melvin - I'm always won over by cheesy, happy horns. I should start putting someadatshit in my songs. I'm really torn about this, man. I think the horns in themselves deserve a vote. (VOTE)

aardwolves - Do you record the guitar and vocals at the same time? If you could put up a pic of your recording setup, I'm sure people could give you some really helpful advice. For songwriting, having the breaks in there where you don't play anything ... it feels like you just couldn't come up with a transition between sections. Until you pump up the production values a bit (or at least try), I don't think I can vote for this. But your voice is great, and your songwriting is pretty solid.

andrew reist - I like my song, but I don't vote for my songs. It was hell to record, quick to mix. Hope you enjoyed it.

j$ - your lyrics are brilliant. I think that's the next thing on my list to get decent at. Production's pretty weird, and that snare pisses me off. It's memorable enough for a vote for sure. (VOTE)

lyricburg - I like the guitar in the intro. Very cool. Melodies with such little variation in notes kind of annoy me, so naturally this isn't going great for me. But I gotta say, it's growing on me. A lot more than I thought possible. VOTE.

mc e b - I love steel drums, so I love that intro. Your voice needs a bit of training so you can learn how to actually sing - power from the diaphragm, and work on expanding your range. This song's aiight, actually. The voice is enough to cancel the vote though. Work on the vox, and you could do some decent stuff.


NOT VOTES

late thaw - I wish I had such skills with an acoustic guitar. You've really gotta work on the annunciation. I know, I know, I'm not one to talk about indiscernible lyrics (if you've hear my song this week), but at a tempo like this, it's pretty much inexcusable.

blt - This song would be fun and memorable live, but I don't really like it right now. Sorry.

blues manufacturing fac - you stole that. write your own riffs and I'll write you a fair review.

fflxxs flemonm - midi/casio with trademarked ff on top. Not my thing for even a minute. sorry, dude.

hand formula - IS that the click track I hear? I think this song was meant to be delivered in an apathetic fashion, so I can't really say much about the delivery. No vote, but I have a feeling you're better than this song.

jmann and the berk scene - this is well done, but it's not my thing. At all.

noah mclaughlin - the mix doesn't feel like it's all being played at once. Not sure what to say about that. I think it might have to do with the weird panning on the cymbals.

octothorpe - kind of a kids style song. I can't possibly enjoy this. Haha! How did you know that's what I was thinking. Sorry guys.

puppies/flowers - I liked this style of vocals a few years ago, but it's too late now. Not badly done at all, but I just don't really like it.

r mosquito - Did you mean to destroy the mix? This is unlistenable.

sockpuppet - not bad, but nothing other than your voice could win me over. Sorry dude.

tuba toothpaste - the mix is so bright and energetic, but the vocals are muffled and unenergetic. If you got excited about the song, pumped up some treble on the vox track, this song could be pretty sweet.

the weakest suit - it's alright ... I don't think a joint's theme song would be quite so energetic though. it's an alright song, but the vox aren't quite as confident as they could be.

OVERALL THOUGHTS -

Not a bad fight - a lot of average type stuff, pretty much nothing awful. I think Todd or Noel should win.

[j$]

Some more 'views.

WAIL. IAAC.

BLT – this is punky-funky-party time! Let me be the harbinger of doubt for a moment - I am not sure about the thin bass tone. Other than that, this reminds me of The Rakes (which may nothing to you) – namely it’s a good modern take on punk, fresh and retro at the same time, which is a hard thing to pull off. Great use of musical feedback. The more I hear the more I realise this is really very good, I wish there was more melody in the vocal line rather than all the musicality being in the track itself, but that’s ‘cos I am a snob. We should collaborate again (an opinion you are welcome not to share!) As that is my reaction, I can say without fear of correction at a later date that it would be churlish not give this a [vote]

MC Eric B – oh god – steel drums – is there some unspoken vaguely racist idea that reggae = being calmed down? Sorry, that wasn’t directed at you specifically. Just you’re the second song to feature them and I am over-sensitive about these things. Hey I recorded a whole album of cod-dub so who am I to comment? One thing I am curious about – you have written elsewhere that you are proudest of your lyric writing ability. Is this an example of that? ‘Cos they’re OK but nothing special, to me? Maybe I am prejudiced but it’s not like they’re stellar, just the best thing about this song, which is of course all relative. I am trying not to be too negative, but really … actually the song itself is OK within the arrangement and it flew past during the listening but the words are nothing. What can I say, I’m an old queen.

The Weakest Suit – um, no? It will take me about two weeks to recognise the two songs that this a collision of; the chorus in particular is so familiar it’s irritating me that it’s only on the tip of my tongue. That’s not important though – not as important as how the breathy thing is too novelty for me – the (good) bass line doesn’t dominate enough for me. I do like the drum pattern and it’s got a nice edge on pop meets experimental – by which I mean even in its briefness it’s got a wallet full of good ideas but there’s the feel of ‘christ I got 10 songs to go in 50/90 will this do’ about it? Underdeveloped is probably what I mean. That’s harsh – because I have that prior knowledge but still, I don’t think I’m wrong.

The Hand Formula – OK I think this is the second time I have reviewed one of your songs and everything I said then still stands. I like your voice but though the simplistic arrangement and quiet quiet recording palls a little, I find it all quite charming. Sadly it may prove to be a law of diminishing returns. Be warned for your next that I review! I misheard one line as ‘and everyone got laid’ which would be better. Pleasant but slightly bored by 1.30. All that said, I do really like your voice. Fragile and pleasing.

Finding Nemoy – After all this time I still HATE your name. It’s almost as facetious and self-indulgent as mine. I remember hating you far more before in terms of the music though - this is sweetly pretty sacherine in a Grandaddy / Spinto Band kind of way. I like both of them and this is fine. I don’t really have anything else to say, so I won’t.

Remainder to follow

j$

[fluffy]

Monsieur ‘Puppet – This is probably my madness combined with your falsetto but every now and again I hear glimpses of early Radiohead in here (specifically ‘high and dry’ it might be a chord coincidence?) As with all of my favourite SP / Fluffy stuff this is on the edge of collapsing – the calming fragility of it far outweighs any timing / melody issues. Monster exchange!

Basically I am always trying to be Thom Yorke so the resemblance is actually pretty much intentional. It's not really falsetto so much as the upper end of my normal vocal range, which is what I've been stressing as much as I can since I really hate how my normal voice sounds. (It also helps me to kick ass when I sing early Radiohead songs at karaoke.) I'm glad my tactic works sometimes!

[Caravan Ray]

Lyric Burglar: ...This has sort of a cool Nickelback-Poison-Dirty Dancing-Jonas Brothers vibe.

I don't think I have ever seen the words "Nickelback" and "cool" in such close proximity before.

[fluffy]

What about a mic modeler VST? I've seen a few free ones posted here in the plug in section. I played around with the Antares one that came in my vst suite and it seems to filter gain noise similar to a gate.

I don't like the sound of gates. You have to be very careful with them unless you like getting a burst of static every time the voice comes in and then fades out, and the best you can do is try to hide it with other noises. I can always tell when they use a noise gate in a TV show or whatever and it bugs the piss out of me.

It's better to just reduce the noise and mask what's left.

[Billy's Little Trip]

BLT – this is punky-funky-party time! Let me be the harbinger of doubt for a moment - I am not sure about the thin bass tone. Other than that, this reminds me of The Rakes (which may nothing to you) – namely it’s a good modern take on punk, fresh and retro at the same time, which is a hard thing to pull off. Great use of musical feedback. The more I hear the more I realise this is really very good, I wish there was more melody in the vocal line rather than all the musicality being in the track itself, but that’s ‘cos I am a snob. We should collaborate again (an opinion you are welcome not to share!) As that is my reaction, I can say without fear of correction at a later date that it would be churlish not give this a [vote]

Thank you Mr Moolah. Yes, the bass is thin and farty. I basically took a good bass sound, fucked it all up, then never got around to unfucking it up. This always happens when I mix on headphones and don't listen to the final mix on a full system. Like someone told you earlier, I should know better after all this time.